33. Main Evening Concert
Brett Dean spent three years writing his opera ‘Hamlet’, which went on to triumphant performances in UK, Australia, Germany and USA. ‘And once I played Ophelia’ began as a preliminary study for the opera before it became his Second String Quartet with a text compiled by Matthew Jocelyn from the original play. It could also be called ‘A nightmare in five movements’, the clash of power and innocence with no prisoners being taken. Fauré’s ravishing C minor Piano Quartet is one of his many masterpieces. Its powerful sense of sweeping élan, the Parisian elegance of the scherzo and the darkness buried deep in the adagio bear all the assurance and craftsmanship of a master. Brahms Piano Quintet is another overwhelming masterpiece. It began life as a string quintet, but not satisfied with that he recast it for two pianos, which his friends rejected outright. Finally it took the form we all know and love, a power-crazed opening Allegro, a rapturously singing Andante, an excitingly explosive Scherzo and a strangely mysterious Finale that builds to an impetuous conclusion.
